Jarrow scrap man fined for operating without a licence

Ben Mitchell, 28, of Don Dixon Drive, Jarrow, was stopped in his van in a spot check by officers from Durham County Council in June.

Magistrates in Peterlee heard the two occupants of the van appeared to be looking in gardens and yards for scrap.

The court heard Mitchell told officers he had been collecting scrap items around Chester-le-Street and had documents to prove this but didn’t have them with him.

Checks later revealed that Mitchell was not licensed by Durham County Council as a scrap collector.

He was unable to produce the appropriate waste transfer notes and he was handed a £300 fixed penalty notice, which remains unpaid.

Mitchell pleaded guilty to failing to produce waste transfer notes and was found guilty following a trial of carrying on business as a scrap metal dealer without a licence.

He was fined a total of £295 for the two offences and ordered to pay £500 costs and a £25 victim surcharge.